Poll: Berating Parents

[JohnSmith]

Is it ok to tell a child's parent that a game is unsuitable for a child of that age? Is it ok to draw attention to the fact that a parent is buying such a game for their child?

I ask because I just encountered the straw that broke the camels back; I saw a child who had to be at least 10 clutching a copy of F.E.A.R 2. To make this scene somewhat more incongruous the child's parent had clearly just bought them the game and the child and his siblings were all dressed in the uniform of a local private school, quite an expensive one at that.

So I find it difficult to reconcile this with my usual tactic of suggesting the parent is just to brain dead to read the label. What is the correct thing to do in this situation, for the good of those involved but more importantly for the good of the gaming community?

 

[xitel]

I wouldn't say that "berating" would be a good term for it, and they may resent the intrusion, but asking them if they are aware of the content wouldn't be out of line, in my opinion. They may get angry and tell you to butt out, in which case you should just butt out, but they may be honestly unaware of the fact, and would appreciate the warning. It never hurts to try.

 

[090907]

Walk up and say "wow (insert game here) is cool the other day I (insert INACCURATE EXAGGERATED unsuitable content here)"

 

[JohnSmith]

Walk up and say "wow (insert game here) is cool the other day I (insert INACCURATE EXAGGERATED unsuitable content here)"

cunning very cunning

 

[GrimRox]

It isn't really our problem. If the parent doesn't buy it for the kid he / she will probably get hold of it via a friend. Parents should know better but then I suppose if they feel it's suitable for their children then who am I to tell them how to raise their kids.

I was playing Quake at 10 and GTA at 12. I don't think it messed me up in the slightest. My parents always checked age ratings but if I wasn't allowed it, I borrowed it from someone who did have it and keep quiet about it.

My girlfriend has two small children, I will not play any games with violence, swearing or anything else I deem inappropriate until they are in bed because I don't think they're ready to see me blow a zombies head off with an automatic shotgun or run over a policeman after stealing his car.

 

[Lyiat]

I used to work at Target... trust me, I saw this crap all the time. I once told my manager I had to "go sit down" after refusing to sell a kid GTA III only to have their parent come up ten minutes later to yell at me. I looked at her, set the game down on the counter, and walked away. I was -pissed-.

 

[090907]

Walk up and say "wow (insert game here) is cool the other day I (insert INACCURATE EXAGGERATED unsuitable content here)"

cunning very cunning

i try... i've done it a few times with uncles and aunts buying games for their nephews (I work in retail) just to do the "get the parents to say yes or no" thing. all since my sister caught me rocking my baby niece to sleep in her pram while playing GTA3 with headphones half on. let's just say it did not end well for me.

 

[JohnSmith]

It isn't really our problem. If the parent doesn't buy it for the kid he / she will probably get hold of it via a friend. Parents should know better but then I suppose if they feel it's suitable for their children then who am I to tell them how to raise their kids.

I was playing Quake at 10 and GTA at 12. I don't think it messed me up in the slightest. My parents always checked age ratings but if I wasn't allowed it, I borrowed it from someone who did have it and keep quiet about it.

My girlfriend has two small children, I will not play any games with violence, swearing or anything else I deem inappropriate until they are in bed because I don't think they're ready to see me blow a zombies head off with an automatic shotgun or run over a policeman after stealing his car.

This is less about the potential psychological harm done to the kiddies (we are not paying their psychologist bills after all), and more about the fact that every time some unhinged kid mimics a violent game, its the games' fault so maybe by interceding with parents we can stem the tide of stupid.

 

[thefrizzlefry]

Okay, this is complicated, because there is a certain point where a kid matures and wises up to the difference between fantasy and reality. That was around 10 for me (I remember reading articles about those incidents where a bunch idiots injured themselves imitating Jackass and thinking, "Do my folks really think I'm that stupid?"). I mean, I was anti-screamer when I could've BEEN a screamer. But I know that there are a lot of ten-year old idiots out there. However, there are also 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and even 18 year old idiots. So, I'm not sure where to stand on this.

 

[Fanboy]

When I was young I played plenty of violent video games. My parents had no problem buying them for me because I was well behaved and I knew the difference between game violence and real life violence.

Buying kids violent video games is not bad parenting; Not knowing whether your kid can handle the content of said games is bad parenting. A well disciplined and responsible kid will not be transformed into a delinquent from playing GTA 3, but a neglected latch-key kid might.

I was raised by my parents, not by video games; If you have it the other way around, then you'll get a problem.

 

[Talendra]

Definitely do not berate the parents. I think pointing out the rating and why the game may not be suitable for someone of that age is a great idea.

 

[Fraught]

My parents don't care, and so long I've managed to keep my kill count on the exact same level as everybody here.

 

[Obliterato]

This is less about the potential psychological harm done to the kiddies (we are not paying their psychologist bills after all), and more about the fact that every time some unhinged kid mimics a violent game, its the games' fault so maybe by interceding with parents we can stem the tide of stupid.

I t would probably help take some of the flak away but I think someone needs to challenge the media and make the ask the question, Why on earth did the kid think it was perfectly acceptable to copy the behaviour of a video game?

 

[Abedeus]

I tried to inform a stupid parent that just because a kid says "daddy buy me GTA IV" doesn't mean you should do so. He ignored me.

Next time I'll tell "you stupid moron, learn to read the freakin labels or you'll end up buying dog food instead of crisps!".

 

[JohnSmith]

I tried to inform a stupid parent that just because a kid says "daddy buy me GTA IV" doesn't mean you should do so. He ignored me.

Next time I'll tell "you stupid moron, learn to read the freakin labels or you'll end up buying dog food instead of crisps!".

So noted, maybe replacing the labels on everything in the pest killing aisle at the supermarket with a label reading "super yummy lollies" and a small label reading "not for eating" might thin them out a little.

 

[SsilverR]

well .. i remember when my little cousin played the warriors then got a few of his friends together and went around trying to steal car radios ... but now all the cars have these cd players that are almost theft proof and he got arrested LOOL

 

[Jeronus]

It's best not to do anything because the parents will feel their authority being challenged by an outsider in front of their kids. The parent will then make a statement about minding your own business and letting them raise their own child. I have seen this before and it ends poorly for the poor sap trying to warn the parent.

 

[Sion_Barzahd]

Yeah i see this all the time in game stores. Kids who're easily 10 or under, with a fresh copy of Gears 2 in one hand and their dads hand in the other.
I feel really saddened by this, two reasons.
Firstly the games are so insanely gorey that even i've cringed a little at one point, and i'm pretty desensitized. (sp?)
Secondly, i look at that kid and all i can think is "Jesus, i just know i'm going to end up having to play either with or against him in a game one day..." I like competant team mates, and i also like somewhat challenging opponents.

 

[jebussaves88]

Not everything is black and white. As a child, i was exposed to 18 films such as Aliens and Predator and all manner of gory violent things. Today, I'm a model student, hopefully on the way to a 1st in English, a very passive person who to this day has not engaged in anything overly violent beyond a handshake. Whilst there are a minority of highly irresponsible parents out there, it is ultimatly the parent who knows their child best, not a suit working for a ratings board. If a parent believes that their 10 year old offspring will not only enjoy the product and get the most out of it, but will not be psychologically altered or damaged by its contents, then i say don't be too ready to sneer at them. At 12, my parents bought me Grand Theft Auto, knowing fully well the content, because they knew I could distance it from reality. I'm sure many parents feel the same way as mine did, and ultimatly, they're right to do so. The reason many of us as forum dwelling adults engage in this kind of anti-child banter can probably be put down in many cases to us simply not liking the sound of youthful voices in a game about horrific mass murder.

So whilst I agree the ratings system should be in place, I believe this should be a guide for those who would potentially buy the product for the child, so that they at least know what they are handing to little Timmy before he gets Nightmares and goes and shoots up something in RL. I don't believe a parent should be punished for providing their child with an entertainment product that is well within their mental grasp despite an 18 sticker on the front.

 

[Powderhorn]

The problem with hard age limits is that people mature at a different rate, depending on their life experiences. The parent knows their child best, and if the parent deems it appropriate for a child to play a game, then that is the parent's business.

However, a parent should also be well aware of just what a child is actually playing. This is what the rating system is for, and why it details exactly what content a game has that makes it unsuitable for younger ages. If a parent is aware of this, and simply ignores it, then that is sheer parental laziness, and there is nothing I can do to stop them.

Ultimately, this comes down to people as a whole growing up. Parents need to stop expecting the government to spoon feed them everything they need or need to know, and deal with life on their own. Children need to stop expecting their parents to hand them everything on a silver platter, and actually prove that they deserve it by doing things such as keeping their grades up and being generally mature.

Now that my little rant is done, I will say that I would simply say to a parent, "Oh, did you know these games have a rating system like movies? It's right on the back, and will tell you exactly why it has that rating." Now the parent is informed, and what they do with that information is their own choice.